New York Knicks: Five reasons to love Ron Baker re-signing

The New York Knicks have re-signed restricted free agent Ron Baker. Why should you be happy to see the second-year guard return to New York?

The New York Knicks entered the 2017 NBA offseason with two guards under contract: Courtney Lee and Chasson Randle. 2017 NBA Draft picks Frank Ntilikina and Damyean Dotson are likely to be signed, and Ognjen Jaramaz could soon follow.

Mere minutes into free agency, it was revealed that the Knicks have brought back one of the more respected young players on the roster.

Before anyone else could report it, restricted free agent Ron Baker ecstatically took to Twitter to announce that he re-signed with New York.

Baker was a subtle contributor in 2017, but he earned the respect of the masses with his work ethic and character. When he was granted the opportunity to play, many around New York offered praise for his performances.

With the Knicks embracing the youth movement, Baker’s signing is consistent with the new identity of the team.

True as that may be, Baker is a somewhat polarizing player in that he produced poorly as a rookie. After the Knicks drafted players at both guard spots, some speculated that Baker could be the odd man out.

Instead, Ron Baker is back with the New York Knicks. Here are five reasons you should be excited to see him return.

5. The Respect Of The Locker Room

It took just one season for Ron Baker to earn the respect of his teammates, coaches, and executives alike. His work ethic was heralded by all, and his energy breathed life into an otherwise sluggish team of former All-Stars and veterans.

Some may want the New York Knicks to stick to signing star-caliber players, but it’s contributors like Baker who can help hold a locker room together—especially now that he’s not a rookie.

Phil Jackson consistently praised Baker for his defensive tenacity and consistency in showing up every day for work. Head coach Jeff Hornacek publicly petitioned for the organization to re-sign Baker mere hours before the deal got done.

Even Carmelo Anthony has gone as far as to publicly praise Baker for his contributions, energy, and level-headedness.

When a player commands that much respect in the locker room, it’s only rational to bring them back for another season. There are early signs of leadership qualities, and every locker room needs a player who displays those traits—no matter what happens on the court.

The fact that Baker is still developing into a quality NBA player is just an added bonus to the locker room value he possesses.

4. Willing Passer

Ron Baker hasn’t yet become a strong enough facilitator to be accurately labeled as a full-time point guard. There’s a difference between recording assists and being willing to move the ball, however, and Baker fits the latter description.

The key to offensive success in the modern NBA is unselfishness, and Baker is the embodiment of a team-first player.

Baker finished the 2016-17 season with an average of 4.5 assists per 36 minutes. That’s a strong mark when one considers the fact that Baker played just three percent of his minutes at point guard, per Basketball-Reference.com.

Baker also took good care of the ball, committing just 2.4 turnovers per 36 minutes—an impressively low number for a first-year player.

Beyond the assist numbers, Baker plays an unselfish game that can help his teammates grow and improve. He’s willing to work without the ball, looks to get his teammates involved when he has it, and brings it on the other end with a high level of defensive intensity.

Baker may not be Rajon Rondo or John Wall, but his willingness to move the ball and create for others will be a necessary presence on a young roster.

3. The Jump Shot

Ron Baker finished his rookie season with a disturbingly low 3-point field goal percentage of 26.7 percent. He shot a respectable 45.0 percent on 2-point field goals, but struggled to convert with any form of consistency from distance.

What’s often overlooked, however, is that Baker’s struggles as a shooter were uncharacteristic and an inaccurate representation of his 2016-17 contributions.

In the 18 games that he played between 20 and 39 minutes, Baker averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 3-point field goals. Those aren’t awe-inspiring numbers, but for a rookie reserve, they’re solid contributions.

More applicably: Baker shot 44.2 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc, which are quality marks from a rookie.

Knowing that Baker shot better when he played more, he projects to fit the youth movement well. It’s also worth noting that he finished his four-year college career with 242 3-point field goals made on 36.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

If Baker’s work ethic is as powerful as has been stated by those around him, he should use 2016-17 as motivation to shoot as well as he’s capable of shooting.

2. Commitment To Defense

To call Ron Baker an elite defensive player would be equal parts inaccurate and insincere. It would be making a mockery of the fact that players rarely enter the NBA and possess a full grasp on what it is that must be done in order to experience success on defense.

No matter how the results may have looked during his rookie season, Baker was one of the few New York Knicks players who took pride in their defense in 2016-17.

Baker is a 6’4″ and 220-pound combo guard with a near 6’10” wingspan. Those physical gifts enable him to defend multiple positions, and his combination of passion and commitment were worth heralding a season ago.

Baker will need to improve his footwork and consistency in 2017-18, but players who are simply willing to defend have been tough to find in New York.

With Baker in the backcourt, practices should be high-intensity settings featuring promising young talent. During games, Baker can sub in and do what he did in 2017-18: provide the energy that the starters failed to.

With a rookie point guard coming to New York in Frank Ntilikina, having a second-year player who’s ready to outwork everyone around him will be great for the locker room.

1. Jeff Hornacek’s Guy

Perhaps the most underrated contributors in sports are those who can be described as a coach’s favorite player. They aren’t necessarily stars, but instead the players who are willing to do the dirty work that others are uncomfortable with handling.

As evidenced by New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek publicly advising the organization to re-sign Ron Baker, it’s clear that he’s found a player he can build with.

When Hornacek entered the NBA as a player, he was a rugged and versatile combo guard who couldn’t shoot. Within four years, Hornacek evolved into one of the most lethal shooters and well-rounded guards in the Association.

It took drastic measures for that to occur—Hornacek famously taped his off-ball fingers to create better form—but that only makes the story all the more impressive.

It would be quite ambitious to state that Baker could follow in Hornacek’s footsteps as an All-Star with two NBA Finals appearances under his belt. What’s within the realm of possibility, however, is that Baker could mold his game after his head coach.

With a similar approach to the game and the respect of the man who can mentor him, Baker has a chance to pattern his game after a player who was ahead of their time: his coach.

Must Read: Five reasons to love the Frank Ntilikina selection

Ron Baker re-signing may not be a blockbuster deal, but he’s the type of player who can help the New York Knicks build a sustainably healthy culture.